Current through Rules and Regulations filed through December 18, 2024
(1) Licensees shall make every effort to select and use assessment instruments, techniques or procedures that are valid, reliable and appropriate for the individual client.
(2) Licensees shall provide the client with an orientation to the purpose of assessment or to the proposed use of assessment results prior to administration of assessment instruments, techniques or procedures.
(3) Licensees shall administer assessment instruments, including technology based assessment instruments, which are within the licensee's competence for scoring and interpretation.
(a) Speech-Language Pathologist.
1. A Speech-Language Pathologist who is not licensed in Audiology may perform nondiagnostic hearing screenings for the purposes of either performing a speech and language evaluation or for the initial identification of individuals with other communication disorders. A non-diagnostic hearing screening shall be defined as a pure tone air conduction procedure which is conducted in a manner such that the results can only be reported on a pass/fail basis. A report of the screening results may include ear specific information regarding frequencies tested and intensity criteria (screening levels).
2. Other audiological screenings may be performed only when monitored by a licensed Audiologist. These audiological screenings must be conducted in a manner such that the results can only be reported on a pass/fail basis. The licensed audiologist is ultimately liable for the quality of such services and any complaints against the speech-language pathologist regarding these services shall be viewed by the Board as a complaint against the licensed audiologist.
(b) Audiologist.
1. An audiologist who is not licensed as a speech-language pathologist may perform a non-diagnostic speech and language screening for the purposes of performing either an audiological evaluation or for the initial identification of individuals with other communicative disorders. A non-diagnostic speech and language screening is a procedure conducted in a manner such that the results can only be reported on a pass/fail basis.
2. Other speech and language screenings may be performed only when monitored by a licensed speech-language pathologist. These speech and language screenings must be conducted in a manner such that the results can only be reported on a pass/fail basis. The licensed speech-language pathologist is ultimately liable for the quality of such services and any complaints against the audiologist regarding these services shall be viewed by the Board as a complaint against the licensed speech-language pathologist.
3. Licensees shall perform a visual inspection of the ear and ear canal prior to any audiological testing.
(4) Licensees shall record results accurately and in language which is clear and understandable.
(5) Licensees shall make available to the client, upon request, copies of any assessment results in the possession of the licensee which have been prepared for and paid for by the client.
(6) Licensees shall use only reliable assessment data to select or recommend specific products to be dispensed or services to be rendered.
(a) Test data used for the selection of a hearing aid shall not be more than six months old. This shall not apply for the replacement of a hearing aid with a hearing aid of the same make and model unless new testing is required by the consumer's age, history or condition.
(b)Audiometric testing must be performed using a wide range audiometer which meets the specifications of the American National Standards Institute (s3.6-1996 or current American National Standard Institute standard) for diagnostic audiometers.
(7) A hearing aid is defined as a wearable sound-amplifying device that is intended to compensate for impaired hearing As such, any device marketed, labeled or otherwise stated or claims to improve impaired hearing is by definition a hearing aid, whether the claim was overt or implied. Further, any wearable device which claims to have characteristics or features that would only be necessary to improve impaired hearing (i.e. noise reduction, multiple bands or channels, noise cancellation, feedback reduction, etc.) would be considered a hearing aid. This definition of hearing aid shall not apply to cochlear implants, active middle ear implants, auditory brainstem implants and osseointegrated implants.
OCGA §§
43-44-3, 43-44-6, and 43-1-19.
Ga. L. 1974, pp. 1009, 1013; O.C.G.A. Secs. 84-6705(c); 43-1-19, 43-44-3, 43-44-6, 43-44-6(a)(4).
